TMS320C27x Mini White Paper

TI Semiconductors: The World Leader in DSP Solutions

TMS320C27x Mini White Paper

Continued...

'C27x Architectural Overview

The TMS320C27x has a six bus modified Harvard architecture with several enhancements from previous TI DSP cores aimed at improving code density and performance. The core will operate at the blazing speed of 100 + MIPS. Future versions of the core are targeted at even greater speeds. A large address reach of 8MB (4Mx16) and a robust register set makes it more compiler-friendly than conventional DSPs.

The 'C27x includes a C language programming environment to provide a friendly alternative to assembly language programming. This environment is made up of distinct architectural features which has led to the industry’s most code efficient C compiler. The users have the benefit of all the advantages of a high level language without paying a significant penalty in code size.

The 'C27x includes several hand picked addressing modes from DSP and MCU architectures. This permits the users to have the flexibility of a MCU in conjunction with the raw computational power of a DSP. A new class of Read-Modify-Write (RMW) operations allows users to read, modify and store data in memory locations in one instruction cycle, compared to 2-3 cycles for traditional DSPs and 3-5 cycles for lead/store architectures. In addition to code density benefits, these one-time cycle RMW operations are hence, automatically shielded from interrupts, avoiding nasty time-related errors. These operations are shielded from interrupts to avoid nasty time related errors.

TI is committed to the future of the Mass Storage industry with next-generation versions of 'C27x planned in better and more powerful technologies.

TM320C27x Development Tools

The development tools of the 'C27x are an effective counter part to its revolutionary architecture. These tools drastically reduce time-to-market by cutting development time in half. Ease of use of the tools was emphasized, yielding mnemonics and an instruction set as easy to use as any CPU available.

The entire suite of tools available include:

C Compiler
C Source Debugger
Assembler, Linker, and Compiler
JTAG Self-Emulation Module
Custom ICE and Code Trace Module

In addition to a best-in-class C-compiler, there are four levels of unprecedented, unique tools breakthroughs for the 'c27x:

Real-time code debug at 100+ MHz,
Real Time Data Exchange (RTDX) ™ to extract streams of data (up to 30 MB/s) for statistical analysis and code optimization
JTAG self-emulation in real-time at 100+ MHz for customer manufacturing yield improvement,
Full visibility code trace, time stamping and custom ASIC ICE, real-time 100+ MHz.

More details on the 'c27x are available.